Scriptwriters/Houston’s 23rd Annual 10×10 Original Play Showcase at Country Playhouse Very Impressive

Last night, I attended a special preview performance of Scriptwriters/Houston’s 23rd Annual 10 x 10 showcase of ten original plays. In addition to the ten-minute plays, there are eight short monologues sandwiched between the short plays. Next Stage Press continues its support of Scriptwriter’s/Houston by publishing this year’s 10 x 10 showcase. All of the plays and monologues show tremendous original writing skills but I do have a few favorites which I will spotlight here.

L-R Robert L. Jacobs and Rich Taylor in Steve Stewart’s “Playing The Game”

“Playing The Game” by Steve Stewart is the first play that jumped out at me. Steve Carpentier‘s exciting direction makes this twisting and turning play come alive. Robert Jacob, Jr. deftly plays a college professor who simply cannot be moved or shaken by a scheming basketball coach, Rich Taylor, wanting the professor to pass a student who is a star on his team. Mr. Taylor could not be better as the burly coach who will not take no for an answer. Stewart’s amazing little play could have been lifted out of the headlines.

Walter Boyd‘s satire “Dog Gone” takes a husband’s love for his dog and turns it upside down as his frustrated wife tries to do away with the dog so she can finally be at peace and have no competition. Joseph Lockett rocks as the alcoholic husband who rarely gets off the sofa. Lisa Briton is out and out scary as the wife who will do anything to have her husband’s affection solely. Direction by Keshia Lovewell is excellent and very clever, considering the circumstances.

Rebecca Johnson-Edgerly as Bloody Mary in “Death By Bloody Mary” by Nicholas Garelick

“Death By Bloody Mary” by Nicholas Garelick explores the what ifs of a children’s superstition where a child stands in front of a mirror and says “Bloody Mary” three times. The urban legend claims that the result is death as Bloody Mary comes through the mirror and kills children! David Bradley is perfect as Joe who is ready to die so he calls upon Bloody Mary and she comes through the mirror and has a very funny conversation with him. Direction by Amy Pope is fresh and inventive. Rebecca Johnson-Edgerly is awesome as the evasive legend, Bloody Mary, and her British accent is flawless.

“I Don’t Care Much For Coffee” by Alex Scott is a daringly original piece that explores the inner monologues that people create. Problem is that Shelby Hart, beautifully captured by Tyrrell Woolbert, can hear them all as she tries to read a book in the library. Katelyn Barr, Iggy Nguyen, and Anthony Torres are all quite effective as their monologues and soliloquies overlap like instruments in a symphony orchestra. Beverly Hutchison hilariously steals the entire play as a grumpy librarian who is fed up with Shelby’s behavior.

“Sister Fred” by Joe Barnes focuses on a husband, Patrick, who is under the bed having a nervous breakdown and will not come out. Neither his wife or a psychoanalyst can help so they turn to Patrick’s fourth grade teacher, Sister Mary Frederick. Great performances all around by Gabe Velasquez as Patrick, Tad Howington as the psychoanalyst, Kaitlyn Walker as the wife, and the overbearingly hilarious Lee Raymond as Sister Fred. Direction by Elvin Moriarty is impressive and fast-paced.

Patrick Jennings and Ananka Kohnitz in “The Last Cats” by Fernando Dovalina

“The Last Cats” by the amazing Fernando Dovalina is a very real and beautiful comedy/drama which focuses on a wife returning home after a three-year failed relationship. Patrick Jennings as the husband is truly remarkable. The talented Ananka Kohnitz as the wife gives a brilliant performance, if not the best performance of the entire showcase. Lauren Tunnell‘s insightful direction beautifully balances the comedy and the drama of this perfect little play.

Several monologues jumped out at me.

“Black Enough” by Eric C. Jones captures a black man who is convinced that he is white. Justin Mouton’s performance is over the top, always hilarious, and surprisingly poignant.

“Hotter Than Brad Pitt” by Devan Wade hilariously explores a man who convinces us that he is indeed much hotter that Brad Pitt. Bob Galley‘s performance is great.

“Thirty (One) Nights of Passion” by Michael Weems is provocatively told by the wonderful Tyrrell Woolbert.

Pat Morgan‘s “Visiting Hours” is very spooky. Kaitlyn Walker has us on pins and needles until the very end of the monologue when the truth is revealed.

I was mightily impressed with much of the writing and you will be as well and you will undoubtedly like different pieces than I did. This wonderful showcase of Houston’s best writers is opening tonight at 8:00 p.m. at the Country Playhouse. The show runs through this weekend, with a Sunday matinee at 2:oo p.m., and next week, Thursday, July 18, through Saturday, July 20.